Friday flânerie

Last Friday, I decided to go walk along the Canal St.-Martin. I hadn't been there since we lived here when Max was just a baby, and I was curious. It's not in one of the nicer parts of Paris, so everything seems a little bit more run-down. Still, it has its charms, and it's also a lot quieter, since you don't really see tourists in this neighborhood.

This was just sad -- KFC and McDo, right next door to each other.

Not everything at McDo is the same as in the States...

But why eat there when you could sit here?

The canal has a series of locks. I've read that you can take a bout tour that takes 3 hours! I can't really imagine. Then again, it's really long, and I've only explored a portion of it.

There are a series of different bridges...

and parks along the quays. I noticed that most of the little playgrounds didn't have the standard benches for parents. Is this indicative of a lack of funding or parents who are actually playing with the kids rather than sitting and watching?

I saw what is apparently a water-treatment plant. I love how it has one of those little tile alien/ghost guys that are found all over the city in unexpected places.

I saw some unusual graffiti on one of the bridges, it says "love yourself."

This is the second time I've seen this graffiti signature on the ground (the other was on the Rue de Rivoli). I have no idea what it's made with, but I do admire its stylized nature.

Even this kind of drab neighborhood has color if you look for it.

and speaking of color:

I saw this line of cheerful stores from across the canal and had to cross over to investigate.


They were so cute! They have a children's store, a women's clothing store, and a home store. The interiors are as brightly-colored as the outside, right down to the painted radiators.

Antoine & Lily self-portrait.

I fell in love with these childrens' melamine dishes! I wanted to buy some for Kristi's girls, and for all of my nieces, but they were over 10 euros each.

sad, twisted bike

At this point, I made my way over to the Marais. I have spent more time there during this stay, and it has grown on me in a big way.

Look at this signpost! So much goodness. So many museums to explore. Maybe next time.

Red leaves seem to be a rarity. I love them.

I stopped at L'As du Fallafel for a sandwich. I'd eaten at this famous spot in the Jewish Quarter before, but I didn't remember liking it that well. But it had been years, and I was right there, so I decided to try again. Boy am I glad I did! I don't know if my tastes have changed or what, but it was de.li.cious.

I don't know what these are (anyone know?), but they are currently hanging in all of the florist windows.

I noticed for the first time that this neighborhood has a lot of old facades that have nothing to do with what is actually within. This store has a bakery sign, but it is actually a clothing store. Ditto with a hair salon, and numerous other storefronts.

Look at those madeleines, fresh out of the oven!

Rue des Rosiers

Does this city love Hello Kitty or what? This sign is in the window of a women's clothing store.

I had plans to go check out a new bakery, but I ran out of time and had to hurry to go see a movie. I wanted to see Coco Before Chanel, and it is only playing on Wednesdays and Fridays at 6:30. Perfect!

It was in a tiny art house theater I had never been to before. Not too crowded, and they had toilettes. Double perfect. This was the first French film I've seen since we've been here and it was a very good one. A great ending to my Friday!